A North Hollywood food pantry is taking steps to manage increased demand as nearly six million Californians face potential loss of food benefits due to the ongoing federal government shutdown. The pantry plans to hire security guards to manage traffic and recruit more volunteers to handle the surge of people seeking assistance, primarily seniors and families.
The federal government shutdown, now in its third week, threatens to disrupt food benefits for millions of Californians. Governor Gavin Newsom has set aside $80 million in state support and deployed the California National Guard to assist food banks. However, without federal intervention or a resolution by Thursday, approximately 5.5 million low-income Californians, including nearly 3.5 million children and seniors, could lose their CalFresh benefits for November.
According to the California Department of Social Services, benefits for October have already been distributed, but those who applied between October 16 and October 31 may not receive assistance for the latter half of the month or November. Governor Newsom criticized the shutdown, stating, “Trump’s failure to open the federal government is now endangering people’s lives and making basic needs like food more expensive.”
The U.S. Department of Agriculture oversees the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP), known as CalFresh in California. The USDA has notified state agencies of insufficient funds for November, prompting concerns about food security for millions. Carolyn Vega, associate director of policy analysis at Share Our Strength, noted, “The question marks are trending in a bad direction for November.”
As the shutdown continues, local food banks and pantries, like the one in North Hollywood, are bracing for increased demand and preparing to support those affected by the potential loss of benefits.
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